I’ve not been for a Day out In Matlock Bath since I was a child when I have a vague recollection of visiting Gulliver’s kingdom. Which is now no longer what I remember of it.

However when a friend posted about their day out in Matlock during half term I quickly added it to our weekend plans. We are always looking for things to do on the weekends to make the most of our family time.

We didn’t arrive until lunch time due to gossiping too much at breakfast. Luckily though I had packed a picnic so fed the little twins some finger snacks as we headed to find a play park.

Parking

When we arrived in Matlock Bath is was apparent that it is a popular place. Especially for bikers. Along the Main Street are 1hr parking bays which if your only passing through and grabbing a coffee would be a great place to park.

Travelling a little further and there is a small short stay car park for up to 3 hours. Again for a lunch stop or evening meal would be quite a good choice.

We parked a little further and up the hill to Gulliver’s kingdom in the all day car park.

Parking here is £6 for 24 hrs. A pretty average amount for touristy place I think.

The view from the car park is amazing so make sure you take a moment to take it in.

Cafes, restaurants & tea rooms.

There is an abundance of places to grab a bite to eat and obviously with only half a day we only had chance to visit one.

We chose “Forget Me Not Coffee Shop” Now, we caught them on a bad day. They had, had a flood in the morning due to the coffee boiler pipe coming unattached so they were a little frantic and there was a couple of puddles on the floor. However don’t let this discourage you. The menu looks fab and the coffee & cakes we had were delicious.

It is a bright shabby chic decorated coffee shop with lots of cakes on display.

Chippy tea?

There are some lovely looking places along the road. From coffee shops called “F Coffee” to good British institutes of the chip shop. We didn’t have a chippy tea on this visit however My friend told us the best one to go to is promenade and If the amount of customers is anything to go by then this must be true.

Gifts and sweets.

There are sweet shops, and gift shops selling lots of lovely things dotted in between all the eateries. This place is far from the seaside however it feels just like a quaint little seaside town in a way with all the little shops along the road.

Play area.

Ive already mentioned that we visited the play park as soon as we got there.

We actually visited two during our short day out in Matlock Bath.

I’ve said before we are touring the world one play park at a time.

The first we went to has a pirate ship climbing frame set in sand with a little boat the the little twins enjoyed playing in.

It was quite busy when we arrived. But didn’t discourage the kids from playing.

On our way from the car park I had spotted a smaller park so on our return to the car we decided to pay a little visit. It was much smaller just two slides a toddler sized one and a huge one on a wooden climbing frame. It may have been huge but Jessica still managed to climb to the top and slide down.

Attractions.

You can’t drive into Matlock Bath without noting the cable cars travelling high above the road.

I have to say it does look a great visit. There is a play park , museum, caves and more.

I just have to have a little something to calm my nerves on the trip on the cable car.

We had a wander to the station to have a look when we met a couple who had just come down.

They were a little shaken by the experience.

But for those with a head for heights I’m sure it would be great.

Lead Mining Museum.
We didn’t go here as I’m not sure it’s a place for the little twins to run around and I bet it’s not really pushchair friendly. But when they are bigger maybe.

Gulliver’s kingdom
As I’ve said before I used to visit Gulliver’s Kingdom when I was a child but it’s completely different now a days.
There’s theme park rides, soft play areas, outdoor play areas , dinosaurs and more
It’s really a day out on its own.

There is so much more we could visit on a day out in Matlock Bath so I think we will have to plan another day very soon.